News

posted on 21 July 2008 14:17

Disk drive subsystem and testing equipment supplier Xyratex is suing test equipment supplier Teradyne, asserting that its technology violates a Xyratex patent referring to controlling disk drive temperatures whilst testing the drives.

According to a source, Xyratex cites its patent, number 6,826,046 – “Disk Drive Unit”, which describes how multiple disk drives can be tested simulataneously and separately at differing temperatures. Xyratex is seeking an injunction barring Teradtyne from selling products using this technology together with financial damages.

It is thought that Xyratex is aiming to stop or slow Teradyne's entry into the hard disk drive test equipment market with possible customers being Seagate and Western Digital. Teradyne is recruiting to build up its hard disk drive testing capabilities in its Assembly Test Division.

Teradyne's Tiger testing products already test read channel ICs for manufacturers who can supply these to hard disk drive manufacturers. For example Agere, since bought by LSI, was a known customer for these.

^{[Martin Edwards, news writer.]}